Shortly after being crowned Mrs. Universe, Ashley Callingbull is already stirring up trouble – and winning admirers. She’s calling for political change in her native Canada by thrusting the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women into the spotlight.
Callingbull, 25, of the Cree Nation, recently made history when she became the first Canadian and first aboriginal woman to win the international pageant. As a survivor of physical and sexual abuse, the actress and model said she resonated with the theme of this year’s competition- domestic violence.
And this beauty-with-brains doesn’t care who thinks she’s too outspoken on the subject. In response to her call for ousting the ruling Canadian party, which has ignored First Nations issues, Callingbull retorted, “Did you really think I was going to just sit there and look pretty? I have a title, a platform and a voice to make change and bring awareness to First Nations issues. I’m not your typical beauty queen. Look out…I have a voice for change and I’m going to use it!”
Callingbull is a firebrand Sun-Mars Libra with Chiron square Mercury in Libra. She is using her voice (Mercury) to bring justice (Libra) to the oppressed (Chiron). She has become the Wounded Healer – Chiron’s highest expression.
Chiron is prominent at Saturday’s Virgo New Moon eclipse (Sept. 12, 11:41 p.m. PDT). The Wounded Healer opposes the Sun and Moon as they join, bringing issues related to suffering and healing into sharp focus. In a solar eclipse, the feminine (Moon) vanquishes the masculine (Sun). Thus, male abuses are being held up for scrutiny. Wrongs of the past can now be righted, and a clean slate is possible.
Venus has just ended her retrograde journey in the courageous sign of Leo – how perfect that this coincides with a beautiful, heart-centered woman rising into her power as a role model for others. Retrograde Venus (since late July) has been challenging for many – if you feel like you’ve been hanging on Inanna’s meat-hook, you’re not alone. Also, Saturn is still slogging through the last degree of Scorpio and finally sails into Sagittarius on the 17th. Saturn entered the underworld of Scorpio in Oct. 2012, impelling us come to terms with buried feelings and own our power since that time. But now the end is finally in sight.
The Virgo eclipse calls us to stay focused on and dedicated to our goals and well-being. It may be time to recommit to your work, health, or sense of service. Yet this New Moon falls just four days before a powerful, otherworldly Jupiter-Neptune opposition – and mental Mercury stationing retrograde. It’s going to be easy to get carried away, for better or worse. Let yourself become inspired, but be wary of launching any new projects (especially involving technology) or relationships (Mercury is retrograde in Libra) until mid-October. During the retrograde (Sept. 17 – Oct. 9) take time planning your next steps. Get your health and fitness regimen on track, surround yourself with supportive people, and formulate a step-by-step plan based on inspiring visions being downloaded this month.
If you need help getting focused and centered, check out this Virgo New Moon ritual from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life. You’ll also find a short video showing how to enhance and activate your Health gua (at the center of your home) which corresponds to Virgo.
Finally, I highly recommend finding out what the upcoming eclipses mean for you! Order your Followed by a Moonshadow report from my brilliant friend and colleague April Elliot Kent and step into eclipse season armed and ready for change!